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Illustration for Psalm 38: A Prayer in Suffering

Psalm 38

A Prayer in Suffering

When AfraidComfort

David is very sick and feels weighed down by guilt. He tells God everything — his pain, his weakness, and how alone he feels. Even when his friends leave him, he keeps waiting for God and trusting that God will answer.

  1. 1O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger or discipline me in Your wrath.
  2. 2For Your arrows have struck me, and Your hand has pressed down on me.
  3. 3Because of Your wrath, there is no health in my body; there is no peace in my bones because of my sin.
  4. 4My iniquities have overwhelmed me; they are a burden too heavy to bear.
  5. 5My wounds are festering and loathsome because of my sinful folly.
  6. 6I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning.
  7. 7My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body.
  8. 8I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart.
  9. 9All my longings lie open before You, O Lord; my sighing is not hidden from You.
  10. 10My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes.
  11. 11My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stand far off.
  12. 12Those who seek my life set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they plot deception.
  13. 13I am like a deaf man who cannot hear, like a mute who cannot speak.
  14. 14I have become like a man who does not hear, whose mouth offers no reply.
  15. 15I wait for You, O LORD; You will answer, O Lord my God.
  16. 16For I said, "Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip."
  17. 17For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever before me.
  18. 18I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin.
  19. 19Many are those who are my vigorous enemies; those who hate me without reason are numerous.
  20. 20Those who repay evil for good are my adversaries because I pursue what is good.
  21. 21O LORD, do not forsake me; be not far from me, my God.
  22. 22Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my Savior.

What it means

When guilt or trouble feels heavy, the worst thing we can do is run away from God. Instead, we wait for Him — He will answer, because He is our helper and our Savior.

A little prayer

Lord, when I feel weighed down by my mistakes, help me come to You, not run away. I wait for You — come quickly and help me, my Savior. Amen.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)